Top 14 Restaurants in Utah County

The food scene in Utah County is getting better and better with every year and we’re here for every dish! With the contributions of brilliant local chefs and an ever growing community, the valley has flourished with restaurants that make it a bigger, tastier place. After eating and deliberating over restaurants from Provo to Lehi, and considering each one with genuine, unbiased honesty, this guide collects the very best of what Utah valley has to offer. 

The job is always tough, but someone has to do it! If you haven’t tried these Utah County restaurants, you’re going to want to go immediately — and this updated guide is one you’ll be eating on repeat. Without further ado, here are the 14 best places to eat in Utah County. Be sure to check out our special bonus list of the best desserts in Utah County at the bottom of this guide.

SEE ALSO: TOP 10 PLACES TO EAT IN SALT LAKE CITY

14. Tru Religion

Tru Religion gives an elevated touch to diner-style breakfast, and its indulgent take on brunch is what makes it one of the best places to eat in Utah County. The biscuits and crepes at Tru Religion are some of the restaurant’s crowning features, and their fresh-squeezed orange juice is understated, but one of the yummiest parts of the meal. If you’re dining here for the first time, their Baja Ben “Addiction” is eggs benny on another level — served on a biscuit with creamy hollandaise, avocado, and a perfectly poached egg next to a small mountain of hashbrowns. It’s just as mouth-watering as it sounds. Other great options include their Biscuit Boss Supreme (pictured), Huevos Rancheros, and Fresh Fruit Crepes. 

13. Pizzeria 712

Pizzeria 712 is one of the best restaurants in Utah County, and our favorite local place to grab wood-fired pizza near Provo. Their crust is thin, soft, and chewy and their tomato sauce is tangy and sweet, the perfect foundations for fresh mozzarella and ricotta. For starters, the Braised Beef Short Rib is delicious, and in terms of pizza we recommend the Margherita, Bianco, Speck, and Hot Pink. Although the service and wait can be spotty here at times, the food is always delicious!

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12. Baan Thai

Baan is an authentic Thai restaurant at the Traverse outlets that features traditional Thai cuisine, making it an easy choice for the best restaurants in Utah County. Hands down the best Thai in the valley, Baan specializes in noodle and curry dishes, combining the two more often than not. You’ll love the modern industrial, double-floor dining room and will surely want pictures of their trendy decor and gorgeous entrees. We recommend the green curry pork dumplings and the chef’s kao soi special. Every dish is bursting with flavor and you won’t want to stop eating no matter what your stomach tells you.

11. Mastra

Mastra is new to the area, but it is already one of the best restaurants in Utah County and is without question the best pasta in the valley. Its charming storefront is very small, so to guarantee yourself a dine-in experience be sure to make a reservation ahead of time. The love and passion that is put into their food is apparent, and the owners of this darling fast-casual spot serve house-made pasta, focaccia, and sauces like their vibrant basil pesto. You’re here for their pasta, so grab a piece of their traditional lasagne, a bowl of pesto or carbonara fettuccine, and order a side of their tender tomato focaccia — it’s an absolute must, and makes it easy to see why Mastra is one of the best places to eat in Utah County. 

10. Bam Bam’s Barbecue

If you’re on the hunt for great barbecue in Utah County, Bam Bam’s Barbecue is the place to be. The team at Bam Bam’s specializes in Texas-style barbecue, with a menu of succulent cuts of meat (think brisket, turkey, pulled pork, and ribs), a few house barbecue sauces, and sides. Ultimately you’re coming to Bam Bam’s, one of the best restaurants near Provo, for their perfectly smoked meat. Owner and pitboss Cameron True takes extreme pride in serving the best barbecue you can find in the valley, and quite possibly the state, and whether you’re in the mood for smoked pork, beef, or poultry you’ll leave totally satisfied. 

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9. Jinya

Jinya may be a national chain but they make a killer bowl of ramen and stand as one of the best restaurants in Utah County. There are several chicken and tonkotsu ramens on the menu and dozens of toppings for all your cravings. Nab one of the few bar stools overlooking the stoves and dive into a bowl of tonkotsu black—pork broth with thin noodles, pork chasu, kikurage, negi, nori, a whole seasoned ajitama, garlic chips, mayu, fried onion, and spicy sauce. Or reach for the spicy variation with the thick-noodled tonkotsu spicy bowl. Jinya selects the perfect ratio of noodles to broth, from thin, smooth noodles to thick, wavy flour noodles. Oh and did we mention there are noodle refills?

8. Bombay House

Indian food is growing in popularity, but Bombay House has consistently been serving some of the best Indian food in the state for years. It’s no wonder it made our guide as one of the best restaurants in Provo and Utah County! Located in the heart of Provo on University Ave (with the same owners from locations in SLC and West Jordan), Bombay House specializes in their delicious Indian curries, complete with tender meat and layered with spices. Their curries are flavorful, rich, and creamy and their naan is soft and delicious. The first rule of thumb for thoroughly enjoying your experience is to order plenty of naan, and when deciding on curry, we strongly recommend the chicken tikka masala, shrimp coconut korma, and chicken makhani.

7. Edna’s Market & Grille

Edna’s Market & Grille is a hidden gem in Lehi that deserves even more attention as one of the best restaurants in Utah County. Walking into this market restaurant is fun, cozy, and inviting. Whatever the occasion, however big or small, Edna’s has the perfect menu options to choose from. The pork chop is perfectly tender, juicy, and flavorful and the Paris Burger is easily the most ordered menu item. Pro-tip: order the sweet potato waffle fries over all else. And make sure you leave room for dessert – the raspberry rice pudding and the bread pudding are equal contenders in the sweet-tooth department.

6. Arempas

One of our Salt Lake City favorites made its way down to Utah County and we are thrilled!. If you haven’t had Venezuelan food before, you are in for a real treat at Arempas, where they serve classic Venezuelan dishes that are packed with flavor yet feel like approachable comfort food. Arempas is most well-known for their arepas, which are tasty little sandwiches that feature Venezuela’s national corn-based bread and are literally packed with meats and vegetables. We love the pabellon arepa filled with tender shredded beef, fried plantains, black beans, and cheese. With their creamy avocado and garlic sauces on the side, this makes for a perfect Utah County restaurant choice. Venezuelan empanadas are made using sweet corn flour instead of the typical wheat flour, and the vegan and shredded pork empanadas are our top picks.

5. Oteo

Oteo is a staple to the restaurant scene here in Utah County. Family owned, this small restaurant in Lindon gives regional Mexican cuisine an elevated touch, adding finesse to classic entrees like molotes, empanadas, tacos, and sopes. What really sets the food at Oteo apart is their perfectly cooked hanger steak, which is rich, salty, and fall-apart tender. Order their hanger steak molote to enjoy with their delicate pureed black beans and crisp, fresh cabbage, and be sure to get a queso fundido for the table. It comes with homemade, warm corn tortillas and is the ultimate comfort food!

4. Sundance: The Tree Room & The Foundry Grill

Simply put, this guide to the best places to eat in Utah County would not be complete without mention of The Tree Room and The Foundry Grill, both found at Sundance Mountain Resort. These high-end dining options have the ambiance and gorgeous mountain scenery to accompany some of the best food you can find near Provo. Take a short, scenic drive up Provo Canyon to Robert Redford’s mountain resort (believe it or not, we have actually seen him there) and settle into the warm atmosphere. We recommend the Tree Room for special occasions, and The Foundry Grill for a less formal but nice evening out.

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3. Black Sheep Cafe

Unquestionably, Black Sheep Cafe is one of the most delicious restaurants in Provo. With a creative spin on Navajo cuisine, Black Sheep boasts some of the most gorgeous and delectable plates in the valley for lunch and dinner. Its fixed menu is unique and unexpected, with life-changing options like their Hog Jowl Tacos, Green Chili Frites, Bleu Burger, and crave-worthy posole. Whether you need a restaurant for girl’s night out, a business lunch, or you’re looking for an upscale date night, Black Sheep Cafe fits the bill as one of the best places to eat in Utah County.

2. Communal

Communal is a well-loved farm-to-table restaurant in Provo that never, ever disappoints. Communal’s chefs always execute their seasonal menu flawlessly, so you know that everything coming to the table is going to be incredible — making it obvious why it’s one of the best places to eat in Utah County. One of the most charming, unique aspects of eating at Communal is their family-style fine-dining model. Everything on their menu is built to share, which adds an intimate touch to dining out and makes it easy to try a variety of dishes. There isn’t a wrong order at Communal, but their Funeral Potato Croquette is mouth-watering and their Clifford Farm Pork Loin and Hanger Steak entrees are nuanced and delicious. Communal is the perfect restaurant if you’re a meal-sharer, but it’s just as easy and acceptable to enjoy on your own, too. 

1. Block

If you’ve ever been to Block, it is no surprise that this fine-dining spot takes its place as the best restaurant in Provo and the surrounding Utah County. Its food and atmosphere are welcoming and high-end, with a delightful staff and incredible menu. The creative team at Block carefully researches and experiments with their menu seasonally, giving it a fresh take a few different times per year while keeping some of their staple menu items year-round. Brunch and dinner are equally delicious — visit at brunch for more casual get-togethers, and dine-in for dinner for special occasions or an upscale night out. The House Made Gnocchi, Hanger Steak, and Pan Seared Chicken are a few favorite entrees, and their pork belly appetizer and Popcorn Panna Cotta dessert are absolute cherries on top of your meal. Be sure to make a reservation, and then be sure to visit again and again.

Bonus: Best Desserts in Utah County

A list of the best restaurants in Provo isn’t complete without an accompanying guide to the best desserts in Utah County. There are a lot of dessert options in the Provo/Utah County area, but these are some of our favorite time-tested options that are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Enjoy!

SEE ALSO: 6 BEST ICE CREAM SHOPS IN UTAH COUNTY

5. Provo Bakery

Provo Bakery is everything we love in a classic ma and pa bakeshop. Their vintage bakery items are still being used, by a now younger staff, to produce beautiful doughnuts, cookies, muffins, and cakes. Try a classic cake doughnut or sticky bran muffin for the perfect sweet tooth fix. Yum.

4. Chip Cookies

One of the most satisfying desserts you can enjoy in Utah County comes from Chip Cookies, a business that delivers warm, 6 oz. cookies in Provo, Orem, and Vineyard up until 2:00 a.m. Monday through Friday and midnight on Saturdays. Cherry on the top? You can order your delicious homemade cookies with a glass of milk! You can also stop by their storefront to grab cookies if you’re on the go or not in one of their delivering zones.

3. Lehi Country Bakery

One of the more timeless spots on this list is the Lehi Country Bakery! Among other popular donuts spots in Utah County, Lehi Country Bakery is famous for their delicious square glazed donuts and they are amazinggggg. You’ll feel right at home with the mom and pop feel and the friendly employees. Don’t put off visiting this local favorite — they often run out!

2. Rockwell Ice Cream

What did Utah County ever do without Rockwell Ice Cream?? Some of our *favorite* homemade ice cream is found here in the heart of Provo. The butterfat content is perfect, the flavors are rich, and the owner and employees are friendly and happy to give you as many samples as your ice cream-loving heart desires. Their flavors are changing constantly but favorites include the salted caramel and brown butter pecan.

1. The Chocolate

A list of the best desserts in Utah County wouldn’t be complete without mention of The Chocolate. Another family-owned business, this dessert shop makes the BEST cake we have ever had! Picture moist, flavorful cakes served in beautiful slices. A perfect spot to grab a dessert after dinner, stop by on your way home from work, or ordering cakes for special occasions! If you only try one cake, make sure it’s The Husband.